Process of bleaching textiles

ABSTRACT

ACTIVATOR COMPOUNDS FOR PEROXIDE BLEACHING AGENTS COMPRISING ALKYL AND ARYL CHLOROFORMATES E.G., METHYL CHLOROFORMATE, ETHYL CHOROFORMATE AND PHENYL CHLOROFORMATE.

United States Patent 6 3,589,857 PROCESS OF BLEACHING TEXTILES LeoThomas Murray, East Brunswick, NJ., assignor to Colgate-PalmoliveCompany, New York, N.Y. No Drawing. Filed Oct. 24, 1967, Ser. No.677,745 Int. Cl. D06l 3/02 US. Cl. 8-111 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Activator compounds for peroxide bleaching agents comprisingalkyl and aryl chloroformates e.g., methyl chloroformate, ethylchloroformate and phenyl chloroformate.

The present invention relates, in general, to compositionsadvantageously adapted for use in connection with fabric washing andbleaching operations and, in particu lar, to the provision of specificcompounds and compositions for such purposes, said compositions beingcapable of providing an exceptionally high order of bleaching activity.

The utilization of bleaching agents as an adjunct to fabric Washingoperations is, of course, common practice if not a recognized necessity.Consequently, many of the detergent compositions currently availablecommercially contain predetermined amounts of bleaching agent as anessential ingredient; specific representatives of bleaching agents foundto be suitable in this regard are well known in the art beingextensively described in the published literature both patent andotherwise and include, for example, the chlorine bleaches such as thealkali metal hypochlorites; active oxygen-releasing peroxide compoundssuch as inorganic persalts e.g., the perborates, percarbonates,perphosphates, persilicates, persulfates, hydrogen peroxide, sodiumperoxide and the like.

The peroxide type bleaching agents are, in general, preferred for usebeing found to be markedly superior as regards capability of providing afabric having a softer hand, improved absorbency, permanence of Whitesand the like. In contradistinction, other types of bleaching agentscurrently enjoying relatively widespread commercial exploitationinvariably yield fabrics having a pronounced tendency to developspurious discoloration, e.g., yellowing. Moreover, fabric materialstreated with bleachagents of this type, in many instances, exhibitsignificant loss in strength and thus the frequency of bleaching may besuch as to severely curtail the useful life of the fabric material.

Despite the cumulative advantages inherent in the use of bleachingagents of the peroxide type, such materials present the rather seriousdisadvantage that maximum realization of their beneficial properties canonly be obtained ordinarily with the use of elevated temperatures, i.e.,temperatures in excess of about 85 C. In fact, experience establishesthat temperature values of 90 C. and higher are mandatory with the useof peroxide bleaches in order to achieve the requisite degree ofbleaching activity. The rather critical temperature-dependency of theperoxide and particularly the persalt bleaching agents as typified bysodium perborate poses a relatively serious drawback in view of theextensive public use of washing machines at temperatures ranging fromabout 50 C. to about 60 C. well below those necessary to renderbleaching agents of the persalt type adequately effective for evennormal household purposes. Consequently, washing operations requiring acomparatively high order of bleaching activity at reduced temperatureranges invariably necessitate resort to the use of bleaching agentsother than those of the peroxide type despite the attendantdisadvantages necessarily involved, e.g. with respect to 3,589,857Patented June 29, 1971 possible impairment of fabric strength, inferiorresistance to discoloration, etc.

In order to capitalize on the advantageous features characterizingbleaching agents of the peroxide type, considerable industrial activityhas centered around the research and development of means whereby toincrease the efiectiveness of such materials at reduced temperatures andparticularly within the range of from about 5060 C. and, thus, tocorrespondingly, extend their area of effective use.

Perhaps paramount among the techniques thus far promulgated for suchpurposes are those based upon the use of the peroxide bleaching agent inconjunction with one or more auxiliary agents, the latter functioning asactivators serving to promote or otherwise augment the bleachingcapacity of the peroxide compound thereby making possible the obtentionof optimum bleaching activity within the lower temperature range.

Although the precise mechanism by which activator compounds of this typefunction is not self-evident, it has nevertheless been postulated by wayof general hypothesis that activator-peroxide interaction leads to theformation of intermediate species which function per se as bleachingagents. In a sense, then, the activator-peroxide components functiontogether as a precursor system by which in situ generation of speciesproviding effective bleaching means is made possible.

Although remedial techniques of the foregoing type have proved somewhateffective, it has nevertheless been ascertained in practice that theactivator compounds thus far suggested in the art for such use aresubject to one or more disadvantages. Perhaps the primary objectionrelates to the failure of such compounds to provide the desired degreeof bleaching activity within the limitations imposed by economicallyfeasible practice. Thus, it is often necessary to employ the activatorin inordinately high concentrations in order to achieve satisfactoryresults. In other instances, it is found that the activator is notgenerally applicable and thus may be used advantageously solely inconjunction with specific and delimited types of peroxide bleachingagents.

Other disadvantages characterizing many of the activator compoundsheretofore provided, include, for example, their incompatability withmany of the ingredients conventionally employed in formulating bleachingand/or detergent compositions. Moreover, ancillary techniquesspecifically devised for purposes of facilitating the requiredhomogeneous blending of the involved ingredients have proved in manyinstances to be economically pro hibitive, the results obtained failingto justify the concomitant increase in cost incurred.

Thus a primary object of the present invention resides in the provisionof activator compounds specifically and advantageously adapted forconjoint use with peroxide compounds in bleach and/or detergentcompositions wherein one or more of the disadvantages characterizingmany of the compounds heretofore suggested for such purposes areeliminated, or at least alleviated to a substantial degree.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision ofactivator compounds capable of augmenting the bleaching capacity ofperoxide compounds to the extent of rendering such materials feasiblefor use in detergent and/or bleaching compositions at temperatures belowabout C.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision ofbleaching and detergent compositions capable of yielding fabricmaterials having satisfactory absorbency, softness of hand andresistance to discoloration for extended periods of time under varyingconditions of use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent hereinafter as the description proceeds.

The attainment of the foregoing and related objects is made possible inaccordance with the present invention which in its broader aspectsincludes the provision of activator compounds beneficially adapted foruse in conjunction with peroxide bleaching agents, said activatorcompounds comprising water soluble chloroformates selected from thegroup consisting of alkyl and aryl chloroformates.

The chloroformate derivatives contemplated for use in accordance withthe present invention may, for convenience, be represented according tothe following structural formula:

wherein R represents alkyl and preferably lower alkyl of from 1 to 4carbon atoms e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isobutyl, etc. and aryl e.g.phenyl. It will be understood that other su'bstituent groups may bepresent as integral components of the activator molecule, the primaryrequire ment with respect thereto being that such substituents be of aninnocuous nature i.e. devoid of any tendency to impair or othewisedeleteriously affect fabric materials or alternatively, to retard orotherwise interfere with the desired activator-bleaching agentinteraction leading to the in situ generation of bleaching species.Suitable substituents in this regard include, for example, halogen e.g.chloro, bromo, etc.

Particularly beneficial results are obtained with the use of compoundsof the above formula wherein R represents methyl, ethyl, and phenylrespectively i.e., methyl chloroformate, ethylchloroformate, andphenylchloroformate.

The chloroformate derivatives of the present invention are well knowncompounds with methods for their prepa ration being described in thepublished prior art, both patent and otherwise. In this connectionreference is made to, for example, Dumas, PeligotAnnales de Chimie et dePhysique [2], 58, 52; ibid 54, 226 and Kempf, Journal fiir PraktischeChimie, [2], l, 403.

The chloroformate activators described herein are uniformlycharacterized in possessing outstanding capacity to augment thebleaching activity of peroxide compounds. This, of course, provides thesalient advantage that the beneficial properties uniquely typical of themore mildlyacting peroxide bleaching agents such as typified by theperborates e.g. sodium perborate, are made possible at temperatureranges conventionally employed in home laundering operation. A furtheradvantage accrues from the fact that bleaching and/ or detergentcomposition formulated with the chloroformate activator are devoid ofany tendency to weaken or otherwise deleteriously affect the strength ofthe fabric or textile material treated therewith, the term textile beingused herein to connote synthetic fibers as well as products manufacturedtherewith. The importance of this aspect cannot be overemphasized, sincethe useful life of the fabric material depends critically thereupon.Thus, the compositions of the present invention may be utilized inconnection with the bleaching and washing of cellulose as well assynthetic fibers such as polyamides without risk of fabric impairment.Of equal importance is the fact that the compositions described hereinexhibit negligible tendency, if any, to attack the colorant present inthe fiber. In addition, it is observed that the washed fabric materialdisplays superior resistance to discoloration i.e., any yellowingtendency is not evident, while sustaining a high degree of whitenessover extended periods of time and use. The aforedescribed propertiesrebound to particular advantage in connection with the washing and/orbleaching of cotton goods as well as oher fabrics customarily employedin the manufacture of personal wearing apparel. A further advantagerelates to the fact that the chloroformate activator in combination withperborate bleaching agents in particular, affords to the user greatlatitude in determining and thus controlling the level of bleachingactivity. This may be readily achieved in view of the comparatively mildbleaching action of the peroxides. Thus, any possibility ofover-bleaching is minimized despite significant variations in theconcentration of peroxide.

The chloroformate activators of the present invention may be effectivelyemployed either singly or in admixtures comprising two or more. Theefficacy of a given manner of proceeding depends primarily upon theexisting requirements i.e., the specific problem to be negotiated by thebleach composition. In any event, optimum mixtures of chloroformates canbe readily determined in a given circumstance by routine laboratoryinvestigation. The employment of the chloroformate in admixturepresents, of course, the singular advantage that the beneficialproperties of a plurality of chloroformates can be obtained in a singlecomposition.

The relative proportions of bleaching agent and chloroformate activatoremployed may vary over a relatively wide range depending somewhat uponthe nature of the composition being formulated. In general, beneficialresults are readily obtained by the use of the activator in amountssufficient to yield a chloroformate peroxide mole ratio within the rangeof from about 0.01 to about '2.0 with a range of from 0.1 to 2.0 beingpreferred. Thus, in the case of a simple bleach composition, theinvolved ingredients will comprise, essentially, the chloroformateactivator and peroxide. When formulating detergent compositions, theperoxide compound will usually be utilized in amounts sufiicient toyield a concentration within the range of from about 1% to about 50%,weight basis, of total composition, with other ingredients includingdetergent, brightener, perfume, etc. It will be understood that theaforementioned limits are not critical per se but serve only to definethose values found to yield optimum results for the broad spectrum ofoperations to Which such compositions may be applied. The chloroformateactivators described herein can likewise be employed to outstandingadvantage in combination with one or more of the conventional activatorcompounds currently available commercially. Again, the choice ofparticular systems as well as concentrations lies largely within thediscretion of the manufacturer. In any event, it is preferred that thechloroformate compound be used in major proportions in those instanceswherein activator mixtures are employed.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the activator/bleaching agent system may beformulated together in a built detergent composition or alternatively asa separate bleach product. When provided in the latter form, theactivator and bleach may be either intimately mixed or included inseparate compartments of a water soluble film packet. Any of the usualmethods for providing the normally liquid activator compound in powderor other suitable solid form may be resorted to for such purposes, e.g.encapsulation.

The following examples are given for purposes of illustration only andare not to be considered as necessarily limiting the subject invention.In each of the examples, the following procedure is observed. A seriesof Washing compositions is prepared in tergotometer buckets bydissolving in 1,000 ml. of water 2 grams of a detergent of the followingcomposition:

Percent Linear tridecyl benzene sulfonate sodium salt 21 Sodium sulfate26.4 Phosphates, tripolyphosphate, sodium tri-sodiumortho-phosphatepyrophosphate, sodium 35 Sodium silicate 7 Carboxymethylcellulose 0.4

with the remainder comprising antioxidant, perfume, etc. To each of thetergotometer buckets is added two millimoles each of sodium perborateand chloroformate activator specified so as to yield a concentration of2X l0 M. Control samples are similarly prepared but omitting theactivator. The wash samples comprise grape-stained cotton TABLE Ex. No.Activator ARd 1 Perborate (control) 38.0 2 Sodium perborate plusmethylchlorotormate- 49. 6 3 Sodium perborate plus ethylchloroformate-51. 3 4 Sodium perborate plus phenylchlorol'ormate 47. 7

As the above examples make manifestly clear, the significant increase inARd for those cotton samples treated with the alkyl chloroformateactivator-perborate systems indicates that a highly efficient and activebleaching function obtained when compared to the control samplesubjected to the bleaching action of the perborate alone absent theactivator additive. As will be appreciated, the reflectance for a givenmaterial is a direct function of its degree of whiteness; thus, greaterdifference in the ARd value are indicative of correspondingly higherbleaching activity.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the composition containing the chloroformateactivators described herein can be provided in the form of a bleachingcomposition or alternatively in the form of a built detergent product.Organic detergents suitable for use in accordance with the presentinvention encompass a relatively wide range of materials and may be ofthe anionic, non-ionic, cationic or amphoteric types.

The anionic surface active agents includes those surface active ordetergent compounds which contain an organic hydrophobic group and ananionic solubilizing group. Typical examples of anionic solubilizinggroups are sulfonate, sulfate, carboxylate, phosphonate and phosphate.Examples of suitable anionic detergents which fall within the scope ofthe invention include the soaps, such as the water-soluble salts ofhigher fatty acids or rosin acids, such as may be derived from fats,oils and waxes of animal, vegetable or marine origin, e.g., the sodiumsoaps of tallow, grease, coconut oil, tall oil and mixtures thereof; andthe sulfated and sulfonated synthetic detergents, particularly thosehaving about 8 to 26, and preferably about 12 to 22, carbon atoms to themolecule.

As examples of suitable synthetic anionic detergents there may be citedthe higher alkyl mononuclear aromatic sulfonates such as the higheralkyl benzene sulfonates containing from 10 to 16 carbon atoms in thealkyl group in a straight or branched chain, e.g., the sodium salts ofdecyl, undecyl, dodecyl (lauryl), tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, orhexadecyl benzene sulfonate and the higher alkyl toluene, xylene andphenol sulfonates; alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, ammonium diamylnaphthalene sulfonate, and sodium dinonyl naphthalene sulfonate.

Other anionic detergents are the olefin sulfonates, including long chainalkene sulfonates, long chain hydroxyalkane sulfonates or mixtures ofalkenesulfonates and hydroxyalkanesulfonates. These olefin sulfonatedetergents may be prepared, in known manner, by the reaction of 80;;with long chain olefins (of 825, preferably 12-21 carbon atoms) of theformula RCH=CHR where R is alkyl and R is alkyl or hydrogen, to producea mixture of sultones and alkenesulfonic acids, which mixture is thentreated to convert the sultones to sulfonates. Examples of other sulfateor sulfonate detergents are paraffin sulfonates, such as the reactionproducts of alpha olefins and bisulfites (e.g. sodium bisulfite), e.g.primary paraffin sulfonates of about 1020, preferably about 1520, carbonatoms; sulfates of higher alcohols; salts of a-sulfofatty esters (e.g.of about 10-20 carbon atoms, such as methyla-sulfomyristate ora-sulfotallowate).

Examples of sulfates of higher alcohols are sodium lauryl sulfate,sodium tallow alcohol sulfate. Turkey red oil or other sulfated oils, orsulfates of monoor diglycerides of fatty acids (e.g. stearicmonoglyceride monosulfate), alkyl poly (ethenoxy) ether sulfates such asthe sulfates of the condensation products of ethylene oxide and laurylalcohol (usually having 1 to 5 ethenoxy groups per molecule); lauryl orother higher alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates; aromatic poly (ethenoxy)ether sulfates such as the sulfates of the condensation products ofethylene oxide and nonyl phenol (usually having 1 to 20 oxyethylenegroups per molecule preferably 2-12).

The suitable anionic detergents include also the acyl sarcosinates (e.g.sodium lauroylsarcosinate) the acyl esters (e.g. oleic acid ester) ofisothionates, and the acyl N-methyl taurides (e.g. potassium N-methyllauroylor oleyl tauride).

' The most higher preferred water soluble anionic detergent compoundsare the ammonium and substituted ammonium (such as mono-, diandtriethanolamine), alkali metal (such as sodium and potassium) andalkaline earth metal (such as calcium and magnesium) salts of the higheralkyl sulfates, and the higher fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates. Theparticular salt will be suitably selected depending upon the particularformulation and the proportions therein.

Nonionic surface active agents include those surface active or detergentcompounds which contain an organic hydrophobic group and a hydrophilicgroup which is a reaction product of a solubilizing group such ascarboxylate, hydroxyl, amido or amino with ethylene oxide or with thepolyhydration product thereof, polyethylene g ycol.

As examples of nonionic surface active agents which may be used theremay be noted the condensation products of alkyl phenols with ethyleneoxide, e.g., the reaction product of isooctyl phenol with about 6 to 30ethylene oxide units; condensation products of higher fatty alcoholssuch as tridecyl alcohol with ethylene oxide; ethylene oxide addends ofmonoesters of hexahydric alcohols and inner ethers thereof such assorbitan, monolaurate, sorbitol mono-oleate and mannitan monopalmitate,and the condensation products of polypropylene glycol with ethyleneoxide.

Cationic surface active agents may also be employed. Such agents arethose surface active detergent compounds which contain an organichydrophobic group and a cationic solubilizing group. Typical cationicsolubilizing groups are amine and quaternary groups.

As examples of suitable synthetic cationic detergents there may be notedthe diamines such as those of the type RNHC H NH wherein R is an alkylgroup of about 12 to 22 carbon atoms, such as N-Z-aminoethyl stearylamine and N-2-aminoethyl myristyl amine; amide-linked amines such asthose of the type R CONHC H NH wherein R is an alkyl group of about 9 to20 carbon atoms, such as N-Z-amino ethyl-stearyl amide and N- aminoethyl myristyl amide; quaternary ammonium compounds wherein typicallyone of the groups linked to the nitrogen atom is an alkyl group of about12 to 18 carbon atoms and three of the groups linked to the nitrogenatom are alkyl groups which contain 1 to 3 carbon atoms, including such1 to 3 carbon alkyl groups bearing inert substituents, such as phenylgroups, and there is present an anion such as halogen, acetate,methosulfate, etc. Typical quaternary ammonium detergents areethyl-dimethyl-stearyl ammonium chloride, benzyl-dimethylstearylammonium chloride, benzyl-dimethyl-stearyl ammonium chloride, trimethylstearyl ammonium chloride, trimethyl-cetyl ammonium bromide,dimethyl-ethyl dilauryl ammonium chloride, dimethyl-propyl-myristylammonium chloride, and the corresponding methosulfates and acetates.

Examples of suitable amphoteric detergents are those containing both ananionic and a cationic group and a hydrophobic organic group, which isadvantageously a higher aliphatic radical, e.g. of -20 carbon atoms.Among these are the N-long chain alkyl aminocarboxylic acids 1 2 (e.g.of the formula R-NRCOOM) the long chain alkyl iminodicarboxylic acids Rs(e.g. of the formula RgRCOO-) where R is a long chain alkyl group, e.g.of about 10-20 carbons, R is a divalent radical joining the amino andcarboxyl portions of an amino acid (e.g. an alkylene radical of 1-4carbon atoms), M is hydrogen or a saltforming metal, R is a hydrogen oranother monovalent substituent (e.g. methyl or other lower alkyl), and Rand R are monovalent substituents joined to the nitrogen bycarbon-to-nitrogen bonds (e.g. methyl or other lower alkyl substituents)Examples of specific amphoteric detergents areN-alkyl-beta-aminopropionic acid; N-alkyl-betaiminodipropionic acid, andN-alkyl, N,N-dimethyl glycine; the alkyl group may be, for example, thatderived from coco fatty alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol (or alauryl-myristyl mixture), hydrogenated tallow alcohol cetyl, stearyl, orblends of such alcohols. The substituted aminopropionic andiminodipropionic acids are often supplied in the sodium or other saltforms, which may likewise be used in the practice of this invention.Examples of other amphoteric detergents are the fatty imidazolines suchas those made by reacting a long chain fatty acid (e.g. of 10 to 20carbon atoms) with diethylene triamine and monohalocarboxylic acidshaving 2 to 6 carbon atoms, e.g. l-coco 5hydroxethyl-5-carboxymethylimidazoline; betaines containing a sulfonicgroup instead of the carboxylic group without an intervening nitrogenatom, e.g. inner salts of Z-trimethylamino fatty acids such as 2-trimethylaminolauric acid, and compounds of any of the previouslymentioned types but in which the nitrogen atom is replaced byphosphorus.

The detergent composition may further contain one or more water-solublebuilder salts which may be either Organic or inorganic in nature.Suitable representatives include the following:

Trisodium phosphate,

Tetrasodium pyrophosphate,

Sodium acid pyrophosphate,

Sodium tripolyphosphate,

Sodium monobasic phosphate,

Sodium dibasic phosphate,

Sodium hexametaphosphate,

Sodium silicates, Na O/SiO of l/ 1.6 to 1/ 3.2 Sodium carbonate,

Sodium sulfate,

Borax,

Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid tetrasodium salts, etc.

Mixtures of two or more inorganic or organic salts can be used, as canmixtures of inorganic and organic salts.

Particularly preferred herein are water-soluble, alkali metalpolyphosphate builder salts. These salts form watersoluble complexeswith calcium and magnesium ions found in hard water and thereby preventthe formation of insoluble salts which tend to deposit upon textilesduring a washing cycle. Further, such phosphates enhance the detersiveefficiency of anionic detergents, aid in controlling sudsing and powersand aid in keeping soil suspended in the washing bath after its removalfrom the soiled textiles.

Various other materials may be included in compositions of theinvention, whether in solid or liquid form, by addition in a knownmanner to the aqueous mixtures or to the solidified product. Examplesthereof are the higher fatty acid amides such as coconut or lauricmonoethanolamide, isopropanolamide and the like; hydrotrop'icsolubilizing agents such as xylene or toluene sulfonates; organicsolubilizing agents such as ethanol, ethylene glycol and hexyleneglycol; sodium carboxymethylcellulose and polyvinyl alcoholantiredeposition agents; optical and fluorescent brightener materials;coloring agents; corrosion inhibiting agents; germicides; perfumes,bluing agents; and the like.

Preferred compositions advantageously contain a hydrophobic colloidalcellulosic soil-suspending agent which is soluble or dispersible inwater also. The joint use of the combination of the cellulosic compoundand polyvinyl alcohol is particularly effective for soil-suspensionproperties during the washing of a variety of fabrics, including bothcotton and synthetic fibers such as nylon, Dacron, and resin-treatedcottons. The mixtures are used preferably in a total amount of 0.1 to 2percent by weight of the solids. Preferred cellulosic compounds are thealkali metal salts of a carboxy lower alkyl cellulose having up to 3carbons in the alkyl group, such as the sodium and potassium salt ofcarboxymethylcellulose. Suitable salts are sodium carboxyethylcellulose;the cellulose sulfates and lower alkyl and hydroxyalkylcellulose etherssuch as methyl-, ethyl-, and hydroxyethylcellulose.

The proportions of such ingredients are not particularly critical andmay be selected in accordance with usual practice. Thus, for example,the organic detergent may be employed in concentrations ranging fromabout 2% and preferably from about 10% to about 50% by weight of thecomposition. The builder salts, whether organic or inorganic, arepreferably employed in concentrations ranging from about 10% to about byweight of the composition. Exemplary of bleaching formulations capableof providing the improvements described herein include a compositioncomprising sodium carbonate (5 parts), sodium tripolyphosphate (30parts), ethyl chloroformate (15.5 parts), sodium perborate (22 parts),alkylbenzenesulfonate (2 parts), with the remainder comprising on a.parts basis sodium sulfate, brightener, perfume, chelating agent, etc.It will be understood that the foregoing composition is given solely forpurposes of illustration; thus, departures from the specificconcentrations stipulated may be dictated in a particular circumstancedepending upon the specific requirements of the user.

Results similar to those described in the foregoing examples areobtained when the procedures delineated therein are repeated butemploying in lieu of sodium perborate, equivalent concentrations of oneor more of sodium percarbonate, sodium persilicate, etc. The terminologywater-soluble peroxide, persalt bleaching agent as used herein isintended to connote those compounds which give use to hydrogen peroxidewhen dissolved in water. Thus, the peroxide compounds hereinbeforedescribed as being suitable in the practice of the present invention arebelieved to contain hydrogen peroxide of crystallization.

The bleaching and detergent compositions of the present invention entailthe further advantage that they may be effectively employed over arelatively wide pH range in the virtual absence of risk of damage to thefabric material. The desired pH may be readily obtained by the additionof suitable buffering agents to the bleaching solution. Moreover, theeffectiveness of the bleaching or detergent composition at relativelyhigh pH permits their advantageous use in combination with common household laundry soaps and detergents for preventive bleaching of fibermaterials. In any event, a pH within the range of from about 6-10 isrecommended for the vast majority of bleaching and washing applications.

The present invention has been described with respect to certainpreferred embodiments thereof and there will become obvious to personsskilled in the art other variations, modifications, and equivalentswhich are to be understood as coming within the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. A process of bleaching textiles comprising the steps of placing thetextiles to be bleached in an aqueous solution of water-soluble,inorganic peroxide bleaching agent and a water-soluble chloroforrnateselected from the group consisting of C -C alkyl and phenylchloroformates wherein the chloroformate peroxide mole ratio ranges fromabout .01 to about 2.0, allowing the textiles to remain in the solutionfor a normal washing period and rinsing the textiles.

2. A process as described in claim 1 wherein included in the aqueoussolution is a water-soluble, organic detergent selected from the groupconsisting of anionic, cationic, nonioniqand amphoteric detergents.

1 0 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS

